Mexico's Foreign Relations Secretary Luis Videgaray (R) shakes hands with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu after they gave a speech to the media at the foreign ministry building in Mexico City on Friday, February 3, 2017, Mexico's Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray (R) shakes hands with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, after they gave a speech to the media at the foreign ministry building (SRE) in Mexico City, Mexico February 3, 2017.REUTERS/Henry Romero, photo: Reuters/Henry Romero

Given the adverse state of the global economy, Mexico and Turkey said that they plan to accelerate the finalization of a free trade agreement between the two countries.

Foreign Relations Secretary Luis Videgaray said that relations and economic ties will be strengthened.

“Today more than ever, Mexico is open to the world, and Mexico wants to build and strengthen our commercial ties and investment with all the countries we have ties with regardless of geographic distance,” he said.

Videgaray acknowledged the Turkish government’s peacekeeping work in its region and its support of more than three million refugees, some of Syrian nationality.

Turkish Foreign Affairs Secretary Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said that the Free Trade Agreement will not only benefit Mexico and Turkey, but the other countries in the region as well.

He also offered his support to his Mexican counterpart.

“We had a very fruitful day and my dear friend Luis is very busy. There are many things he has to attend to. He is new to his position but he has a good friend in Ankara and can call me whenever he needs my support, ” he said.